The Portland daily press., 1887-07-04
ENTERPRISE AND BOXER.
An oft'toId Tale but One Which May
be Many Times Repeated With
Prorit to the Youth of the Land.

Prorit to the Youth of the Land.
On the morning Of the first day of Sep
tember, 1S13 the United States brig Enter
prise was quietly lying at anchor in the
harbor Of Portsmouth, but about 0 o'clock
the loungers on the wharves noticed an un-
usual activity on her decks. Boats were
putting off from the shore with men, hamp-
ers and boxes, and everything betokened
preparations for cruise. In short
time her sails were spread aloft, her
anchor was taken aboard and she began
to move gracefully seaward. In less than an
hour she had vanished from the sight of the
curious who were watching her from the
shore and speeulating upon the cause of her
sudden departure. 1t was rumored that her
commander, Lieutenant William Burrows.
an excellent seaman and brave officer, had
received intelligence of the appearance Of
privateers upon the coast, and without loss
of time had set sail in pursuit, and such was
the truth. Let us now follow the fortunes
of the gallant brig. That day and the next,
nothing occurred worthy of notice, but on
the morning. of the third Lieutenant Burrows
discovered off Wood Island, near the mouth
of the Saco, a suspicious schooner, and gave
chase. Following closely upon the heels Of
the flying schooner, Burrows pursued her
until she found shelter in Portland harbor,
thus revealing her nationality. Here the
Enterprise came to anchor, and remained
until the morning of the fourth when hav
ing heard rumors of priyateers being to the
eastward, she weighed anchor and moved
out of the harbor with sweeps. The Enter
prise continued her course to the east under
light winds, and at five o'clock the next
morning which was Sunday, the lookout dis
covered brig lying inshore, about eight miles
distant At the same time those on board
the brig discovered the Enterprise, and
made haste to get under way. After re-
connoitering in order to learn her
nationality and force, the commander
of the Enterprise stood out of the
bay, followed by the stranger. which
proved to be the British brig Boxer.
Several hours were consumed by Burrows
in man9uvering, in order to discover her
sailing qualities, and in making every
thing ready for action, and at quarter past
two o'clock, he shortened sail, hoisted three
ensigns and fired gun at her, shortly after
doing which, he tackled and bore up in order
to come to close quarters When within
half pistol shot, the Englishman gave him
broadside, with three cheers, which was re-
turned in kind, and the fight became hot,
each vessel serving her guns as rapidly as
possible. AT twenty minutes past three, the
gallant Burrows fell mortally wounded, but
refused to be carried below. 1t is said that
while lying upon the deck almost in the ago.
N nf death ha raiCpd his head and fold hfe
men never to strike the flag. At about the
same time, Captain Blyth also fell mortally
wounded-a man of like spirit with Bur-
rOHs-whO had gone into the fight with his
mand OF the Enterprise now dey0lyed upon
Lieutenant Mccall, who proved to be an
able commander, and who directed the move
ments of his vessel with such skill as to
bring her into position to rake the enemy
fore and aft, bringing down her maintop-
mast and topsail yard and causing great
havoc with her rigging and upon her deck
After half hours conflict, maintained on
both sides with as much spirit as every char
acterized a similar battle, the crew on the
| Boxer cried for quarter, Pull down your
| flag then" was the order. I'VE cannot,
| came back from the Boxer" 1T is nailed
| to the mastl" This stopped the firing, and
| in few moments the crew of the Enterprise
were on board the British brig, and the
| sword Of her commander was taken to the
| his hands and exclaimed, Il am satisfied 4 die
| c0ntented." Preparations were Immediately
made to take the captured brig to port, and
| in a short time the Enterprise was
under way with her prize in tow.
OF course it was known in Portland that the
conflict was taking place, and excited crowds
/ assembled about the Observatory to learn
something of it from Lemuel Moody, who
with his glass was watching the proceedings
| forty miles away, between M0nhegan and
| the main land. When the first guns were
fired, Moody shouted to those below that he
/ saw the smoke of guns, which caused them
| to cheer vociferously. A long time then
elapsed before anything else was discerned,
| and some of the people, thinking the fight
was over, began to leave, when Moody again
| announced that he saw the smoke Of the YES
| sells guns, and that an engagement was TAX
ing place. OF course the greatest anxiety
to know the result of the conflict prevailed,
| and when the Enterprise appeared Off the
| harbor with the captured vessel in tow,
| Portland was wild with joy. Probably new
er before nor since hayeP Portland people been,
/ and probably never will again be, so fully
| beside themselves with excitement, as they
| were upon this occasion. Crowds fiOcked to
Union Wharf in such numbers, and with
| such eagerness as to make it dangerous to
attempt to get near the vessels Captain
Jacob Mcclellan, who was then a boy, says
| that nothing was thought of or talked of in
| the city for days, but this event. People
| hardly found time to eat. He sat upon a
| pile of boards on Union Wharf, and saw the
bodies of the two commanders brought
| ashore in cotfins, which were procured for
them on their arrival, and which were
draped with flags. The funeral occurred on
| Wednesday the eighth, and the cortege
started from Union Wharf in the following
! order:
Composed of rife company and two companies
| OF infantry.
| Selectmen of Portland.
| Town Treasurer and Sheriff of the County.
| Town Clerk and other Municipal Officers.
The Reverend Clergy.
49, 1 Body of [cofIml Burrows 80 ''''''''
Mr.. ONeil, Mr. Turner
| Mr.. Tillinghart, Mr.. y cCall
| Chief Mourners
| DIR. Washington, Capt. Hull.
| OficerS OF the brig Enterprise.
yors Crew q the brig EnterPTn5sfs,i; Pnf,;o, ,,o.rp;
''S " Body Of [comnl Blyth,
Seth Barnes, James Coombs
Joshua Knights. John Alden
0ficers of the brig Boxer, as mourners,
and officers on parole,
Crew Of the brig Boxer,
OfficerS OF the United States Navy.
Ship Masters and Mates,
Marshal OF Maine
Navy Agent, and
Collector OF the Port and Surveyor
Superintendent General Of Military Supplies,
Officers OF the Army Of the United States,
Military Onicers Of the State, in uniform,
Judges and other Civil 0hicers of the UniteC
States,
| Members of Congress,
Judiciary of the Commonwealth,
Members of the State Legislature,
| Civil Officers of the State,
Portland Marine Society,"
| Presidents, Directors and Oficers Of the Bank
and Insurance Offices,
Citizens In general.
The scene was strikingly impressive
While the procession was moving through
the streets to the Second Parish church
where the funeral services were conducted
it was on its way to the cemetery, the bell
were toled and minute guns were fired b.
the artillery companies and repeated fron
Forts Preble and Scammell. The collins o
the two commanders were placed side by sid
and six vollies fired over them, after whicl
the colors were unfurled, the band struck up
and the procession took up its march for tn
! Court House, where it dispersed. OF tn